JavaScript can be as fast as lower-level languages by focusing on four key areas: algorithms, dependencies, optimizations, and architecture.
Learning algorithms should be driven by practical goals like side projects, not just passing interviews at large tech companies.
Categorize dependencies as inevitable, convenient, or empowering to avoid unnecessary overhead from general-purpose libraries like Lodash.
Write faster code by using imperative programming, understanding V8 engine features like TurboFan, and using monomorphic functions.
Performance strategies must adapt to the execution environment, such as browsers, servers, or constrained nano services like Cloudflare Workers.
Consider performance trade-offs between raw execution speed, iteration speed for development, and team onboarding efficiency.
The speaker answers audience questions about using TypeScript without performance penalties, the trade-offs of "dirty" code, and Dijkstra's algorithm.
Jobs that call for the skills explored in this talk.